Home » Uncategorized » Japan Clears Path for Mount Fuji View Amid Typhoon Threat:What You Need To Know
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
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Authorities in Fujikawaguchiko, Japan, have dismantled a large black screen that had been obstructing the iconic view of Mount Fuji. The screen, originally installed in May to manage crowds of tourists, was taken down last Thursday as a precaution against potential damage from the approaching Typhoon Ampil.
The town, known for offering some of the best vantage points of Mount Fuji, had erected the screen along a busy street to prevent tourists from overcrowding the area. A particularly popular spot for photography was outside a Lawson convenience store, where visitors often took pictures that made it appear as though Mount Fuji was perched atop the store’s roof—a spot that became known as “Mt Fuji Lawson.”
However, the screen led to dissatisfaction among local residents, who complained about tourists blocking the narrow sidewalk, taking photos on the busy road, and encroaching on private properties. The black mesh net, standing 2.5 meters high and stretching 20 meters along the sidewalk, was installed on May 21.
In anticipation of Typhoon Ampil, the town authorities lowered the screen on August 15. While the poles and wires that supported the screen remain in place, officials have stated that the screen will not be reinstalled as long as tourists continue to behave respectfully.
Despite the typhoon not making landfall, Japan’s Meteorological Agency had issued evacuation orders and warnings due to the storm’s strong winds and potential danger.
The removal of the screen has, so far, resulted in no further incidents, according to local officials. The decision to take it down was met with relief by both residents and tourists, who can once again enjoy unobstructed views of Mount Fuji.
Typhoon Ampil, the seventh typhoon to hit Japan in 2024, brought widespread disruptions as it approached Tokyo, leading to the cancellation of hundreds of flights and trains. The storm coincided with Japan’s Obon holiday week, a time when millions of people travel to their hometowns.
